Cleveland County leaders are considering multiple proposals to make the new US 74 bypass part of an interstate-style freeway network that would connect the western and eastern ends of the state.

County leaders met this past week with commissioners from Rutherford and Polk counties to discuss support for the current US 74 bypass project, which has been in talks for more than 30 years as an alternate route around Shelby and for which construction is finally scheduled to begin.

The three counties are now discussing a plan to ask the NC Department of Transportation to study the possibilities and costs of creating an interstate-quality freeway section of US 74 from Interstate 26 in Polk County through Rutherford County and into Cleveland and points farther east.

Bypass plans in Cleveland County currently call for the new highway section around Shelby to be built to interstate standards. The new proposal being discussed would increase the section of paved shoulder space along US 74 from 3 feet to 12 feet from I-26 to Interstate 85, meaning it would be built to what is known as freeway standards, said Cleveland County Commissioner Jason Falls.

An interstate-style US 74 freeway would provide safer and faster travel times from I-26 to I-85, in addition to travel to NC routes 9, 221, 226 and 216, according to the resolution originally drafted by Rutherford County leaders and presented by Rutherford County Manager Carl Classen.

A second resolution is proposed by Rutherford County leaders to develop a group to study the feasibility of a South Economic Development Corridor, a freeway along the US 74 route, from I-26 near Asheville to Wilmington to improve commerce between western North Carolina and eastern North Carolina.

According to the resolution -- presented to local leaders this past week by Rutherford County Economic Development Director Matt Blackwell -- officials would promote that US 74 be developed as part of a wider freeway that would connect the mountains to the coast.

Rutherford and Polk county commissioners unanimously voted to adopt the two resolutions to encourage the study of the extended interstate-style highway.

Cleveland County leaders chose to study the resolutions further before voting.

NCDOT representative Kevin Lacey also attended the joint meeting between leaders of the three counties.

He said any resolutions approved in support or against the proposals are still subject to be changed.

Reach Jessica Pickens at 704-669-3332 or jpickens@shelbystar.com.

What leaders are saying:

Here's a sample of local leaders' comments on proposals to create an extended freeway-style US 74.

“One of my concerns with the proposal is that I don't want to throw a kink in the start of the project by introducing a petition to essentially increase the paved shoulder width of 74 from about 3 feet to about 12 feet. That is one of the main differences between a freeway and an interstate. To make it a true interstate, you would have to increase the shoulder width all the way from I-85 to I-26... that's a lot of money to spend to put an 'I' before the '74.'"

--Cleveland County Commissioner Jason Falls

“I don’t have a problem with the resolutions, but my concern is if we go after a larger piece of pie, will that affect what we are trying to do with the bypass?”

-- Cleveland County Commissioner Johnny Hutchins.

“I’m in favor of the resolutions as long as it doesn’t impede on the 74 bypass plans.”

-- Cleveland County Commissioner Eddie Holbrook

“It is really important that these counties work together for the bypass.”

-- Rutherford County commissioners chairman Julius Owens.

Reader response

The Star asked its Facebook fans what they think about a wider, extended freeway-style 74 from points west to points east of Cleveland County. Here’s a sample of the response. To join the conversation, “like” The Shelby Star on Facebook.

“They don't have the political power, need to stop this junk and fix our state economy.”

Rodney England

“Would be great. Highway 74 is so congested wish they would get it started and built soon.”

Ruby Swink Dills

“…There are much more important issues in North Carolina than traffic. There are bigger issues in Cleveland County than traffic. Traffic can be bad on 74. Ever been on 321 or 85? Wouldn't be complaining about 74 if either of those were your daily commute to and from work. Someone needs to get their priorities in order.”

Amber Nicole Hawkins

“Should have been done years ago. The first city I've ever seen with an interstate running through town. Tractor-trailers keep the roads tore up getting from charlotte to I-26 in Hendersonville. Too crowded and dangerous!”

Billy Whisnant

About the current US 74 bypass project

* The project is intended to help decrease traffic on the current US 74 in Cleveland County.

* The new bypass is expected to cost about $296 million total to construct, according to NCDOT. That includes $238 million for highway segment construction and $57 million for right-of-way construction.

October 2012 – Right of way and construction on first segment of bypass – from Westlee Street to Artee Road – scheduled to begin.

February 2012 – City of Shelby reaches agreement with NC Department of Transportation to relocate utility lines to make way for bypass.

March 2013 – Graves, some more than 150 years old, relocated from Polkville Road to Zion Baptist Church cemetery to make way for bypass construction.

March 2013 – Cleveland County leaders meet with Rutherford and Polk county leaders on a proposal to make US 74 bypass part of an extended interstate-style freeway to help connect I-26 in western North Carolina to I-85 and points farther east